Produce case shelf assembly



Dec. 2, 1969 K. D. MIHILLS 3,481,434

PRODUCE CASE SHELF ASSEMBLY Filed June 24, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet l I N VENTOR KENNETH D. MIHILLS' ATTOR NEY K. D. MIHILLS Dec. 2, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24, 1968 R KENNETH D. MIHILLSI BY 9% W ATTORNEY Dec. 2, 1969 K. 6. MIHILLS 3,431,484

PRODUCE CASE SHELF ASSEMBLY Filed June 24, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

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ATTORNEY United States Patent Olhce 3,481,484. Patented Dec. 2, 1969 3,481,484 PRODUCE CASE SHELF ASSEMBLY Kenneth D. Mihills, Wheatley, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Clark Equipment Company, a corporation of Michigan Filed June 24, 1968, Ser. No. 739,367 Int. Cl. A47f 3/14 US. Cl. 211-126 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rectangular case has a shelf or screen assembly adapted to support produce for display. The shelf assembly has main shelves that are pivotally movable to two positions at which they are supported by two leg sections. In one position one leg section supports the shelf and in the other position that portion of the leg section becomes an extension of the shelf and the shelf is supported by the other leg section. Two sets of main shelves and end shelves form the integral shelf area. A pair of triangular end shelves form a part of the shelf area when the main shelves are in the lower position and a pair of trapezoidal end shelves form a part of the shelf area when the shelves are in the higher position.

This invention relates to case and shelf assemblies, particularly to such assemblies having movable shelves for displaying produce or the like.

When displaying produce in retail markets, it is desirable to display the produce in the most effective or attractive manner. It is generally considered desirable to display a large amount of produce because it tends to induce purchases. The difficulty with using large amounts of produce at all times for display is that a large volume of produce may not be economically displayed when the sales volume is small. In order to maintain an attractive display, shelf assemblies have been used that have false bottoms that raise the shelf or bottom level to create an illusion of the presence of a large amount of produce. These devices have generally been cumbersome and costly.

With this invention a produce case and shelf assembly is provided that is easily adjustable between a higher and lower position by rotating leg support sections of a support structure. The raising or lowering of the shelves to two positions is accomplished without any construction or assembly work.

The objects and advantages of this invention are apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a part of a produce case and shelf assembly according to this invehtion;

FIGURE 2 is another perspective view of the case in FIG. 1 showing the entire shelf system with some of the shelf assemblies elevated to show construction;

FIGURE 3 is a simplified partial cross section of a produce case and shelf assembly generally shown in FIG. 1 with the shelves in a higher position; and

FIGURE 4 is a cross section view similar to FIG. 3 with the shelves in a lower position.

Referring to the figures, a produce case and shelf assembly comprises a produce case 12 supported above a floor by legs 13 and 14 and having a rectangular base 16 and raised sides 18 extending around the perimeter of the base 16; and a shelf assembly 20 comprising triangular end shelves 25 and 26, trapezoidal end shelves 27 and 28, and trapezoidal main shelves 21, 22, 23 and 24 with corresponding support structures 31, 32, 33 and 34. The shelves are adapted to receive produce or other materials on top of the shelves and 'within the perimeter of the raised sides of the case. Main shelves 21 and 23 are positioned adjacent main shelves 22 and 24, respectively, and each main shelf is pivotally movable about the junction of sides 18 and base 16 relative to the case.

A support structure for each of the shelves is operably connected to the respective shelf with rotatable or hinge connections 30 along an edge 41 of the shorter of the two parallel edges of the trapezoidal shelf. The support structure for each shelf comprises a first section comprising a leg 51 adapted to support the shelf at a lower position at a first selected height, as shown in FIG. 4, and a second section comprising a leg 52 adapted to support the shelf at a higher position at a second selected height as shown in FIG. 3. The first section is adapted to support the shelf and in addition is adapted to form an extension 54 of the integral shelf area when the shelf is at the higher position. The first sections are offset below the higher edge of the main shelves to form a recessed area 55 when the shelves are in the higher position that more readily retains produce on the top of the shelf area.

Legs 51 and 52 of the support structure are selected and the main shelves are of such a size in width relative to the base 16 that at the lower position the elevated edges of the main shelves meet at a height above the base of the shelf at wihch legs 51 support the shelves. At-the higher position the main shelves are raised to form a gap between the elevated edges of the adjacent main shelves equal to twice the height of leg 51 so that the gap is filled in by the shelf portion of leg 51 when the support structure 50 is rotated to support the main screens at the higher position. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the geometry of the legs and shelves is such that when a central channel is used, legs 51 and 52 are spaced apart by an angle 61 that has a tangent approximately equal to the ratio of the first and second heights, which makes leg 52 have a length, if it is also to be retained in position by channel 60, that is equal to the quotient of the length of leg 51 divided by the sine of the angle 61.

End shelves or screens 25, 26, 27 and 28 are positioned to fill out the end portions of the main shelves and complete the integral shelf area for supporting produce. End shelves 2S and 26, which are of triangular shape, are positioned to complete the integral shelf area formed with the main shelves when the main shelves are in the lower position. End shelves 27 and 28, which are of a truncated triangular or trapezoidal shape, are positioned to complete the integral shelf area when the main shelves are in the higher position. The end shelves are supported by any known means. In this embodiment the end shelves rest on the edges of the main shelves adjacent the end shelves and support the end shelves in the selected position.

While this specification contains a written description of the invention and the manner and process of making and using it and sets forth the best mode contemplated of carrying out my invention, there are many variations, combinations, alterations and modifications of the invention that can be made within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A case and shelf assembly comprising a case adapted to support a shelf; a shelf movable relative to the case to a lower position at a first height above said case and a higher position at a second height above said case; and a support structure operably connected to the shelf having a second section adapted to support said shelf at the second height, and a first section adapted to support said shelf at the first height and adapted to form an extension of said shelf when said shelf is at the second height.

2. A case and shelf assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and second sections of the support structure are first and second legs, respectively; and said shelf has two opposed generally parallel edges pivotally movable relative to the case about one edge and the legs rotatably connected to the other edge.

3. A case and shelf assembly according to claim 1 wherein said case has a base and sides raised above the base, and said shelf is pivotally movable about the junction formed by the sides and base of the case.

4. A case and shelf assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and second sections of the support structure are first and second legs, respectively, adapted to support the shelf at the first height and second height, respectively, with each leg extending away from the place of operable connection to the shelf and with said legs separated from each other by an angle having a tangent approximately equal to the ratio of said second height to said first height.

5. A produce case and shelf assembly according to claim 4 wherein said second leg has a length approximately equal to the quotient of the length of the first leg divided by the sine of the angle.

6. A case and shelf assembly according to claim 5 wherein said shelf has two opposed generally parallel edges with said shelf pivotally movable about one edge and with said legs rotatably connected to the other edge.

7. A case and shelf assembly according to claim 6 also comprising a retaining device on the case located and adapted to retain the legs in position to support the shelf at the selected higher or lower position.

8. A produce case and shelf assembly comprising:

a produce case,

a shelf assembly having first and second main shelves positioned adjacent each other, pivotally movable relative to the case, and having a size selected relative to said case so that said shelves meet each other at a first selected height above said case to form an integral shelf area, and

support structures for each main shelf, each operably connected to its respective shelf and having a first section adapted to support its respective shelf when said main shelves are meeting each other at the first selected height and having a second section adapted to support its respective shelf at a second selected height greater than said first height, said first section adapted to form a portion of the integral shelf area with the main shelves when said main shelves are supported by the second section.

9. A produce case and shelf support assembly according to claim 8 wherein said produce case has a rectangular base with elevated sides to provide a pivot at the junction of the sides with the base for the pivotal movement of the main shelves, and wherein said main shelves have first and second edges with said shelves pivotally movable about the first edge and meeting at the second edge when at the first selected height.

10. A produce case and shelf assembly according to claim 9 wherein said support structures are each pivotally connected to the second edges of each respective main shelf and wherein said first and second sections are first and second legs with the first leg having a length generally equal to the first height and adapted to support its respective shelf when said main shelves are meeting each other and said second leg is adapted to support its respective shelf at the second height with said second height selected to support the second edges of the shelves away from each other by a gap approximately equal to twice said first height and with said first legs adapted to close the gap and form a portion of the integral shelf area with said main shelves when said shelves are supported by said second leg.

11. A produce case and shelf assembly according to claim 9 also comprising first end shelves having a triangular shape positioned to complete the integral shelf area formed when the main shelves are at the lower position;

second end shelves having a truncated triangular shape positioned to complete the integral shelf area when the main shelves are at the higher position; and means for supporting the end shelves in the selected positions relative to the main shelves whereby the integral shelf area is formed by said mainshelves and the first end shelves when said main shelves are at the lower position, and is formed by said main shelves, first leg portions, and second end shelves when said main shelves are at the higher position.

12. A produce case and shelf assembly according to claim '8 also comprising a retaining device on the case located and adapted to retain the support structure in position to support the main shelves at the selected higher or lower position.

13. A produce case and shelf assembly according to claim 8 wherein said first and second sections of the support structures are first and second legs, respectively, adapted to support each respective shelf at the first height and second height, respectively, with each extending away from the place of operable connection to the respective shelf and separated from each other by an angle having a tangent approximately equal to the ratio of the second height to the first height.

14. A produce case and screen assembly according to claim 13 wherein each of said main shelves has two opposed generally parallel edges with said shelves each pivotally movable about one edge and with said legs rotatably connected to the other edge.

15. A shelf and support structure according to claim 13 wherein said shelf is formed in the shape of a trapezoid with first and second edges generally parallel to each other, and wherein said support structure is rotatably connected to the shorter edge of the trapezoid.

16. A shelf and support structure comprising a shelf; and a support structure operably connected to the shelf, said support structure having a second section adapted to support the shelf in a second position, and a first section adapted to support said shelf in a first position and adapted to form an extension of said shelf when said shelf is in said second position.

17. A shelf and support structure according to claim 16 wherein said support structure sections are legs rotatably connected to the shelf.

18. A shelf and support structure according to claim 16 wherein said shelf has first and second edges generally parallel to each other, and said support structure is retatably connected to the first edge and comprises a first and second leg with the first leg spaced apart from the second leg by an angle having a sine approximately equal to the ratio of the length of said second leg to the length of said first leg.

19. A shelf and support structure according to claim 18 wherein said shelf is formed in the shape of a trapezoid with first and second generally parallel edges and said support structure is rotatably connected to the shorter parallel edge of the trapezoid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,688,003 10/1928 Darby 211133 X 2,676,712 4/1954 Chappory 21 1181 X 2,814,390 11/1957 Barbier 2l1126 NILE C. BYERS, JR., Primary Examiner 

